Increasing farm productivity, income and employment through farming system approach: A review of concepts, constraints and issues

Farming is an important component of the economy of developing countries. Farming system is a viable approach, which represents an appropriate combination of farm enterprises, viz; crop production, horticulture, livestock, fishery, forestry, poultry and goat farming, etc. Farming system provides increased productivity per unit land, better utilisation of resources, recycling of farm wastes, sustainability, higher income and employment generation and reduction of risk. Hence, it is viewed as a powerful tool for natural and human resource management in developing countries like, India. This is multidisciplinary whole farm approach and very effective in solving the problems of small and marginal farmers. This approach not only increases income and employment opportunity but protect the environment through recycling of the crop and animal wastes within the farm itself. The present paper reviews the role of farming system approach in increasing income and employment, also highlights constraints in their adoption.